Sex assault charges for Howard student

An 18-year-old male Mount Hebron High School student is accused of assaulting two female classmates in a health room at the school, police said Friday.

Trey Michael Murduck, 18, of the 9800 block of Caitlin’s Court in Ellicott City, is charged with third-degree sex offense, two counts of fourth-degree sex offense, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault, according to Howard County police.

Police said a 14-year-old student reported that she went to the school nurse just before 9 a.m. Monday and was sent to rest in a section of the health room that has beds separated by curtains.

The girl said a male classmate was in the room when she arrived and that he had a folding knife, made "provocative" comments and touched her inappropriately, police said. She said she pushed him, and that he unsuccessfully tried to stop her when she fled the room. The girl didn't tell school staff, but later told a parent who called police, authorities said.

At about 10:30 the same morning, a 16-year-old girl who went to the nurse's office reported that she encountered a male student who made sexual comments and inappropriately touched her. She reported the incident to school staff, who contacted authorities.

A school spokeswoman said a health services worker was in the room, but was unaware of the incidents. She said the health room has several sections, including separate areas with beds for boys and girls, a glassed-in office and small private rooms where employees can tend to students with health needs.

Murduck was arrested Thursday evening at an acquaintance’s home in Woodbine without incident, police said.